Wednesday

28.1 looks at the modeling-based design of brain-inspired spiking neural networks with RRAM learning synapses. A comprehensive model for spiking neural networks based on spike-timing dependent plasticity in RRAM synapses is presented.

A dual-mode computing (DMc) ReRAM macro structure with a dual-function voltage-mode self-write termination (DV-SWT) scheme is proposed in 28.2, to achieve both memory and fundamental computing-in-memory (CIM) functions (AND, OR and XOR operations). A 16Mb DMc-ReRAM full-function macro was fabricated using 1T1R HfO ReRAM devices and 0.15um CMOS process. The measured delay of the CIM operations is less than 14ns, which is 86+x faster than previous ReRAM-based CIM works.

In 28.3 a new method for fast and robust compressed sensing recovery of sparse signals using computational memory (CM) is proposed. (CM performs certain computational tasks within resistive memory units.) Large-scale experimental demonstrations using more than 256k phase-change memory devices are presented along with an in-depth device analysis and array-level considerations.

Next up is an invited paper that presents data-aware NAND flash memories (28.4). By recognizing the data value, sophisticated data management such as storing important data in reliable memory cells, or adaptively optimizing read voltage are realized. Consequently, intelligent computing such as image recognition with deep neural networks, data compression and disaggregated hybrid storage can be achieved.

Given the processes mentioned, this (28.5) looks like a GLOBALFOUNDRIES-sponsored paper, on a reconfigurable NAND/NOR logic gate based on a single ferroelectric FET (FeFET) in 28 nm HKMG and 22 nm FD-SOI FeFET technology. The gate uses hafnium oxide as the ferroelectric material with a pull-up device connected in series.

This is the session that a lot of us will be waiting for – Chris Auth of Intel is first up (29.1) with “A 10nm High Performance and Low-Power CMOS Technology Featuring 3rd Generation FinFET Transistors, Self-Aligned Quad Patterning, Contact over Active Gate and Cobalt Local Interconnects”.

The transistors feature rectangular fins with 7 nm fin width and 46 nm fin height, 5th generation high-k metal gate, and 7th-generation strained silicon. Self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) is used for critical layers such as fins and minimum metal (34 nm and 36 nm pitches, respectively). Four or six work-function metal stacks are used to enable undoped fins for low Vt, standard Vt and optional high Vt devices. NMOS and PMOS current is 71% and 35% greater, respectively, compared to 14-nm FinFET transistors. For high density, a self-aligned contact over active gate process and elimination of the dummy gate at cell boundaries are introduced, as described in the Technology and Manufacturing Day last March.

Intel appeared to have backed off on the 53-nm fin height that they announced back in March (above), so the final fin profile could be different, especially if they are actually rectangular. 46 nm is still an increase from the 42 nm of the 14-nm process, just not as ambitious; I guess the taller fin could be looking forward to the 10+ or 10++ generation, definitely one for the Q & A!

There are 12 metal layers of interconnect, with cobalt in the lowest two layers that yield a 5-10x improvement in electromigration and a 2x reduction in via resistance, and ultra-low-k dielectrics throughout the interconnect stack. Three different types of SRAM cells are detailed, a high-density 0.0312 µm2 cell, a low voltage 0.0367 µm2 cell, and a high-performance 0.0441 µm2 cell.

29.2 is an invited talk from S. Barraud of CEA-Leti; “Performance and Design Considerations for Gate-All-Around Stacked-NanoWires FETs”, reviewing recent progress on GAA-NW and NanoSheet (NS) MOSFETs. The results show that more flexibility can be achieved with stacked-NS transistors in order to manage power- performance optimization.

IBM/Samsung/GF are also looking at nanosheets in 29.3, in which a quantitative performance evaluation of horizontal nanosheet structures across a wide range of sub-7nm design spaces is presented.

Intel 22FFL

Intel also announced their 22FFL process in March, now we get a paper on it (29.4); clearly aimed at the foundry business and IoT products, it appears to an upgrade from the 22-SoC process [1]. Or maybe it’s a relaxed 14-nm process, we’ll have to see the transistor profile to make that call. The raw dimensions, as you’d expect, are in between.
We still have double-patterned fins, but the gate and metal are single-patterned, and the SRAM cell size puts it close to the 22-nm node. The process combines high-performance, ultra-low power logic and RF transistors; the high-performance transistors show 57%/87% higher NMOS/PMOS drive current compared to the 22-nm technology. New ultra-low power logic devices reduce bitcell leakage by 28x compared to a regular SRAM cell, and an RF device with optimized layout has been developed and shows excellent fT/fMAX of 230 GHz/284 GHz and 238 GHz/242 GHz for NMOS and PMOS respectively.

The final talk (29.5) is a late-news submission from GLOBALFOUNDRIES on their upcoming 7-nm platform (don’t forget, GF are skipping 10 nm). It features 3rd-generation SAQP finFET architecture, and SADP BEOL metallization, with an improvement of 2.8X in routed logic density and >40% performance over the 14nm reference technology. Multiple Vts are derived from “a unique multi-work-function process”, giving low-voltage SRAM response and highly scaled memory areas. The HD 6-T bitcell size is 0.0269 um2. The technology uses immersion lithography, but is also designed to adopt EUV for specific levels, for cycle time benefit and manufacturing efficiency, when EUV is ready.

This year we have a second plenary session squeezed in with the other sessions, so that the awards associated with the traditional Tuesday conference lunch can be presented. After that we have a plenary paper (30.1), “Development of Sustainable Smart Society based on Transformative Electronics”, from M. Ogura of Nagoya University. The title belies the rest of the abstract, since it focuses on gallium nitride defects and GaN nanorod devices:

31.1 is an invited study of time-resolved energy currents in a molecular optoelectronic junction made of two donors and an acceptor, sandwiched between two electrodes and excited by a Gaussian femtosecond laser pulse. Features of the direct energy currents are thus correlated to the intra-molecular structure.

Gate-induced-drain-leakage (GIDL) in 2D FETs is evaluated by UCal Santa Barbera/Micron using a novel quantum transport methodology (31.2). GIDL is a key issue in access transistors, and the results establish the advantages of certain 2D semiconductors in greatly reducing GIDL, and thereby support use of such materials in future memory technologies.

UCal Santa Barbera presents again (31.3), on “How to Derive the Highest Mobility from 2D FETs – A First-Principle Study” – a comprehensive mobility modeling framework for 2D-semiconductor FETs is developed, and applied to study the impact of synthesis technology, defect concentration, electric field, and channel/dielectric materials on the mobility.

In 31.4 a unified surface potential based physical compact model for both unipolar and ambipolar 2D-FETs is developed and verified by device measurements, including the influence of extensive disorder effects on transport. This is implemented in Verilog-A for evaluating the possibility of digital and RF applications with 2D-FETs.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES presents the next paper (31.5), describing a quantitative model for switching asymmetry in p-MTJs, by combining a 4×4 tunnelling conductance matrix derived using NEGF formalism, and a 4×4 ferromagnetic conductance matrix derived from the Valet-Fert equation. It provides qualitative and quantitative agreement with switching voltages in spin torque experiments observed in IBM, Everspin and GLOBALFOUNDRIES hardware data.

32.1 is an imec-led review of the different variants of sequential 3D integration, and the potential challenges to achieve a realizable solution. The benefits observed due to sequential scaling at a die level are analyzed and quantified.

More CEA-Leti work in 32.2; they have been doing a lot of work with laser annealing and Solid Phase Epitaxy Regrowth (SPER), and now double SPER with two amorphization/recrystallization steps, which has the advantage of doping the bulk of the S/D junctions. This enables a low-temperature FinFET process to be demonstrated, with gate-last integration and self-aligned contacts; devices exhibit performances close to those of the high temperature process of reference.

We have an invited presentation from Tohoku U. next (32.3), on new materials and processes for advanced Si devices. Co contact plugs and amorphous Co-Ti barriers showed a good adhesion for MOL, with limited growth of Co silicide, and a low contact resistivity of the order of 10-9 Ωcm2 on both n+ and p+ Si. For BEOL, a CVD-MnOx layer could be formed conformally in high-aspect ratio contact holes, and an ALD-MnOx layer of 1.2 nm thick showed a good diffusion barrier property at 400 oC. For 3D integration, TSV of 10 μm diameter and 80 μm depth could be filled with low resistivity sintered Cu paste without voids.

32.4 is an imec study of wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding, using SiCN in combination with Cu pads of unequal size and surface topography, formed by CMP processing, to give electrically yielding 300 mm-bonded wafers with pad pitches of 1.44 μm down to 0.72 μm.

Liquid jet impingement cooling of high power devices is considered in 32.5, again by imec, using a 3D-shaped polymer cooler.

Session 33: Power Devices – Development of GaN Power Devices Technologies

TSMC has a smart GaN power platform (33.1), with 2-level integration of peripheral low voltage active and passive devices. The 1st level consists of protection/control/driving circuits, and the 2nd level integration has high-low side on-chip integration on a 100 V technology platform.

33.2 is a study of reverse-bias stability and reliability of hole-barrier-free E-mode LPCVD-SiNx/GaN MIS-FETs. With limited hole-generation, the devices deliver small NBTI values, even without a hole-barrier. In reverse-bias stress, the SiNx gate dielectric, while exhibiting a negative valance-band-offset with GaN, acts as a plug to holes, and hole-induced degradation can be greatly contained by limiting gate-bias to a few volts below VTH.

Defect bands are found in carbon-doped GaN (33.4); these layers, crucial for GaN HEMT buffers, show non-Arrhenius thermal behavior of capacitance transients related to the trapping/detrapping dynamics of leakage current in a wide temperature range. The model developed indicates that conduction via defect band controls both processes, redefining the way III-N:C containing layers should be investigated.

Proton irradiation is used to achieve zero dynamic-Ron in GaN-based power HEMTs (33.5). The results are explained by considering that proton irradiation increases the leakage through the uid-GaN channel layer. This increases the detrapping rate, and leads to the suppression of dynamic-Ron at high VDS.

This is the last focus session of the conference, with another five invited papers from purveyors and researchers into Si photonics. Luxtera announced partnership with TSMC in March this year, so maybe in 34.1 we’ll hear how that is going, since the topic is “Advanced Silicon Photonics Technology Platform Leveraging a Semiconductor Supply Chain”.

South of the border from imec, we have the Grenoble cluster describing their “Developments in 300mm silicon photonics using traditional CMOS fabrication methods and materials” (34.3). Japan’s Photonics Electronics Technology Research Association (PETRA) looks at “Advanced devices and packaging of Si-photonics based optical transceiver for optical interconnection” (34.4) as a way keeping system costs down – highly accurate assembly processes in optical coupling are needed, but they are not always cheap.

Lastly, NTT reviews their recent achievements in various energy-efficient nanophotonic devices based on photonic crystals (34.5). The strong light confinement of these devices enables large enhancement of light-matter interactions, and ultra-small capacitance for OE/EO conversion devices; they demonstrate that the energy consumption can be reduced down to fJ/bit or less.

35.1 presents the theory, implementation and application of a new quantum transport, NEGF based modelling approach employing a full-band Empirical Pseudopotential (EP) Hamiltonian, enabling complete, self-consistent simulations for both FETs and Tunnel FETs in Si or in Ge, and with geometrical features in line with upcoming CMOS technologies.

In a joint paper by GLOBALFOUNDRIES and Synopsys (35.3), density functional theory (DFT) is used to calculate TCAD parameters to describe dopant diffusion in Si, SiGe and Ge. The dopant profile simulated in TCAD with calculated parameters is in good agreement with experiment.

We get into the TCAD simulation of SiC CVD in 35.4, simulating trench filling for SiC super-junction devices. 35.5 studies the conductance of doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a possible candidate for BEOL interconnects; circuit-level simulations predict up to 88% signal delay improvement with metal-doped vs. pristine CNT. This was validated by electrical measurements of Pt-salt doped CNTs with up to 50% of resistance reduction.

In 36.1 we look at van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions of MoS2 and VO2; the sharp vdW interface enables a tunable diode-like characteristic, and this can be extended to tunable rectifiers, photodiodes and field effect transistors. The next paper (36.2) proposes and demonstrates a stochastic computing unit with a single MTJ; it can perform addition and multiplication operations and requires no additional logic gates.

In 36.3, it is shown that compact spin-torque nano-oscillators can form sub-micron neurons; and that they can naturally implement reservoir computing with high performance, and detail the recipes for this capability.

A STDP synapse with outstanding stability based on a novel insulator-to-metal transition FET is detailed in 36.4, based on a gate-controlled insulator-to-metal- transition FET. Since a metallic channel is used, stochastic phenomena have little effect, giving high stability with a large dynamic range and very low power consumption.

The last paper (36.5) demonstrates a CMOS-compatible double quantum dot spin qubit that is all-electrically controlled without the need for external components such as micromagnets, that could complicate integration. Universal control of the qubit is achieved through spin-orbit-like and exchange interactions. Using single shot readout, we show both DC- and AC-control techniques.

37.1 is a study of 5-nm-thick ferroelectric Y-doped HfO2 on p+ Ge; the investigation indicates that stable ferroelectric characteristics are maintained down to 5 nm by controlling doping and capping effects. The cycling performance showed no wake-up behavior, and no obvious degradation after 108 cycles.

In 37.2 IBM/GLOBALFOUNDRIES studied the relative impacts of germanium content vs. strain on the performance of SiGe channels in strained SiGe p-FinFETs and planar devices on a strain-relaxed buffer (SRB) substrate. Last year GF/IBM/Samsung gave a paper on a SRB-based 7-nm process [2], and we looked at it in a follow-up blog.

This looks like further work to set some more parameters; the devices had different strain configurations, Ge channel compositions and surface properties. The inclusion of planar devices likely provides a baseline, but also may have useful data for the FDSOI processes at GF (no mention of FDSOI in the abstract). The fin shape is more rectangular than in last year’s paper – is the process evolving that way?

By comparing the transistor electrical properties of SiGe pFETs on SRB with those on Si substrate, the influence of strain and Ge content in the channel on device performance is decoupled from factors such as gate stack quality, reliability, and carrier transport.

The authors found that, independent of strain, increasing Ge content led to unstable gate stacks with greater interface trap charges and relatively low hole mobility, although it improves NBTI reliability. Carrier transport is predominantly controlled by the channel strain, and a (100) substrate crystal orientation helps optimize the effects of strain for both n- and p-FinFETs.

TEM images of a Si fin after M1 metallization; STEM (left) HAADF (center) and (right) EDX. No Ge diffusion from the SRB to the Si active fin is observed (source: IEDM/IBM/GF)

37.3 is an invited IBM talk on gate-stack engineering for gate-first and RMG transistors, so again keeping consideration of FDSOI applications. Key process details are disclosed to achieve optimized devices with near-ideal SS, excellent NBTI, mobility and transconductance at scaled-EOTs. Aggressively-scaled fins with WFIN=6.4nm and excellent short-channel characteristics are also demonstrated.

imec/Applied Materials claim the first circuit built with Si nanowire transistors in 37.4 . They built functional ring oscillator test circuits using stacked Si NWFETs, with devices that featured in-situ doped source/drain structures and dual-work-function metal gates. A SiN STI liner was used to suppress fin deformation and improve shape control; a high-selectivity etch was used for nanowire/nanosheet release and inner spacer cavity formation, with no silicon reflow; and a new metallization process for n-type devices led to greater tunability of threshold voltage.

National Taiwan University also claims a first in 37.5, this time the first stacked GeSn pGAA-FETs. Good crystalline quality is achieved from CVD-grown stacked GeSn layers. Using Ge barriers as sacrificial layers and an ultrasonic-assisted hydrogen peroxide etching technique, the GeSn 60 nm channel has record high Ion of 1850 uA/um, with SS=88 mV/dec.

Next up is an invited review by Seung Kang of Qualcomm; “MRAM: Enabling a Sustainable Device for Pervasive System Architectures and Applications” (38.2)

With its unique attributes and tunability, MRAM is poised to become a unified memory subsystem that can revamp the architectures of emerging ultra-low-energy systems, and has potential to transform computing-centric architectures at advanced nodes.

In 38.4 TDK- Headway Technologies takes their expertise in magnetic analysis (they make magnetic recording heads) to probe the magnetic properties of STT-MRAM devices down to sub-20 nm using spin-torque ferro-magnetic resonance (ST-FMR).

Measurements of the anisotropy field (Hk) of devices down to 20 nm using ST-FMR are reported, and it is shown that Hk increases for decreasing sizes. Using micromagnetic simulations, they developed a simple model to fit Hk size dependence, allowing the quantification of magnetic edge damage for various process conditions.

Etching magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cells at small dimensions and very dense pitch is still challenging for high density STT-MRAM. This paper (38.5) avoids MTJ etching, and demonstrates MTJ nano-patterning at very narrow pitch (pitch=1.5F, F=MTJ dot diameter) by growing the MTJ material on pre-patterned conducting non-magnetic pillars without post-deposition etching.

38.6 also describes 400°C-compatible p-MTJ stacks; top-pinned stacks with a new synthetic ferromagnetic stack pinning layer design is used to demonstrate free layer off-set control and low current switching in 30nm CD devices.

In paper 39.1, a set of two- and three-dimensional analysis techniques are combined to clarify the switching and failure modes of resistive switching in state-of-the-art TiO2-based vacancy modulated conductive oxide memory. 39.2 examines ultra-fast (<1 ns) electrical characterization of the self-heating effect and its impact on hot-carrier injection in 14nm finFETs, capturing the heat generation and dissipation process in the transistor channel.

Now that 14nm is a mature process, U. Minnesota/Intel are characterizing soft error rates (SER) in combinational logic gates (39.3), using a NAND/NOR readout chain. Different gate configurations (device size, threshold voltage, fan-out and chain length) were implemented in the 14nm test-chip and irradiated under a neutron beam to collect a massive amount of statistical data, capturing the impact of various circuit parameters on SER.

In 39.4 the statistical behaviors of read current noise and retention in a 1Kb filamentary analog RRAM array are investigated. The conductance distribution of different levels is found to change with time, and the physical mechanism of this retention degradation is explained. From the experimental data, a compact model is developed in order to predict the statistical conductance evolution, which can effectively evaluate the impact of read noise and retention degradation in neuromorphic computing systems.

The last paper (39.5) is an invited presentation from Carnegie Mellon U., on “Combatting IC Counterfeiting Using Secure Chip Odometers”. The odometers employ chained one-shot binary aging elements that use intentional accelerated device aging to measure the use and age of the chip. A prototype secure odometer was taped out on a 1.2mm x 1.7mm test chip in a 65nm bulk CMOS process as a proof-of-concept.

High-Q silicon fin bulk acoustic resonators (finBARs) are described in 40.1; high-aspect-ratio fins are etched in the silicon substrate and covered by aluminum nitride films to enable efficient electromechanical transduction of bulk acoustic resonance modes with large coupling coefficient (kt2), resulting in unprecedentedly high quality-factors (Q) in ultra- and super-high- frequency (SHF) regimes.

A monolithically 3D-printed pressure sensor with excellent sensing performance was demonstrated (40.2). The porous-structured dielectric was formed by casting an elastomer prepolymer into 3D-printed water-soluble templates. The flexible electrodes were monolithically 3D-printed using a conductive thermoplastic as well. Finally, the sensors were applied to the e-skin and wearable healthcare monitoring system.

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) composed of porous conductive-polymer and PTFE wrapping wires, is detailed in 40.3. The TENG generated a short-circuit current for a long duration and great output performance. A model based on parallel connection of the finite capacitors was developed, and validated by comparison between experiment and calculated results.

40.5 describes a refractive index sensor formed from aluminum nanohole arrays on vertical Ge PIN photodiodes; the interaction of plasmonic resonances and thin-film reflection within the PIN layer stack enables sensitivities comparable to Au sensing systems showing FOM* up to 14.
Chronologically the last paper is due at 3.40 pm – by then a lot of attendees will have headed for home, especially West-coasters who want to get home today.

I will definitely be suffering from information overload and becoming brain-numb, but with 228 papers and an average of seven parallel sessions at any one time, plus the offsite events, that’s not really surprising. On the other hand, where else do we go to get all this amazing stuff?

Time to unwind, maybe do a little holiday shopping, and go for an indulgent meal.